Wayne Atkin

ATKIN, WAYNE R. Wayne Richard Atkin, aged 87, died on June 18, 2014 surrounded by his family. Wayne was born on June 15, 1927, in Clio, Michigan. He was the youngest son of Flossie and Amos Atkin. Wayne was the valedictorian of his high school class, and excelled in math. Upon graduating high school, Wayne began college at Central Michigan University. When his brother Clint died in World War II, Wayne left college to enlist in the U.S. Army (who added an "s" to his last name, which stuck!) He was sailing toward Japan when the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With the war over, Wayne worked with the U.S. Army under General Douglas MacArthur to help rebuild Japan. After Wayne was discharged from the army in 1947, he attended Central Michigan University at Mount Pleasant, MI, earning a B.S. in mathematics. He then attended the University of Michigan to earn a master's degree in education and math. On July 12, 1952, Wayne married the love of his life, Tawny Martin. They lived in Gladwin, MI, Allen Park, MI and Dearborn Heights, MI, where Wayne taught math. In 1963, Wayne accepted a job as the Director of Financial Aid at UWEC, and he, Tawny and their sons moved to Eau Claire. After seven years with UWEC, Wayne moved "up the hill" to then District One Technical Institute (CVTC) to become the Vice President of Research, Planning and Development, retiring in 1989. In addition to working, Wayne served on many committees and boards, including the Eau Claire County Board, the Chippewa Valley Technical College Foundation and Literacy Volunteers of America. Wayne loved fishing; he was always in search of the elusive giant bass. He loved his summer weekends on Island Lake. He enjoyed golf, baseball, football and anything Michigan. His family was the most important part of his life. Wayne is survived by his four children: Tim and his wife Tashai; Scott and his wife Mary; Heidi and her husband Jerry Shea; Holly and her husband David Ganong; his grandchildren: Kyla and D'Angelo; Jamie (Terry), Chelsey, Kendra (Jamie) and Danielle (Marcus); Ali, Lindsay, Tyler (Shelby) and Jordan; Cooper and Caelan; his great-grandchildren: Deanna, Carter, Adia and Rajon; and his sister Avis Murphy. Wayne also leaves behind numerous loving relatives and friends. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Faunese J. "Tawny" Atkins, parents Flossie and Amos Atkin, brothers: George, Alvin, Tom, and Clint and sisters: Gladys Nimcheski, Frances Warrington, Lois Murda and Letha Mohl.Services will be today, Friday, June 20, 2014 at Lake Street United Methodist Church. Visitation will begin at 1 pm until 3 pm with funeral service beginning at 3 pm. Internment with military honors will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery. The family wishes to thank all of the Visiting Angels who cared for Wayne over the last several months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Chippewa Valley Technical College Foundation Wayne R. Atkins Scholarship, 620 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54703. Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckienhulke.com. Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.